New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-19
INVESTIGATING THE DOCK BOIRD.
THE COMMISSIONERS OF ACCOUNTS EXPECT I
MAKE SOME INTERESTING REVELATIONS.

THE CoMAIsToSERs OF ACCOUNTS EXPECT TO
MAKE SOME INTERESTING REVELATIONS
Tho Commissioners OF Accounts have begun an in
vestigation of the Dock Department and they think
they can make il warm for some OF those connected
with that department 1t is charged that President
stark and Commissioner Matthews have combined
against Commissioner Koch, their associate, and nave
filed various places with their friends to the EXCLUSION
OF those OF Mr. Koch. -,
NJ Smith, who until two months ago was in charge OF
the Fourth District, from Canal-s to
on the North River had tailed 10 account a to keep
record of all the vessels put In berths In his dsct
aud to collect the Wharfage fees and turn them INTO
the Department 1t Is maintained that these duties
could have been performed by him easily by WORKING
six hours a day. But he was allowed two as
sistants one of whom was his son, lad OF sixteen
years, who was paid by the hour as detailed Do.n
Department laborer. He usuav charged from ten TO
twelve hours a day. Smith had a difficult, win
Dock superintendent Joseph H. Liscomp, VINO
watched him closely, and believed he had iound
evidence that correct returns OF the money collector
were not made by Smith -,
p DucKmaster Smith the FIRST witness Called ny
the Commission srs of Accounts yesterday. Ee "as
questioned by Commissioner AdamsOn, and was a,-
tended by his counsel, Frederick Is. House omilh
explained what his reports contained. VIZ
puted the tonnage OF each vessel Several OF ms
reports shown to him, in which the name OF ,nd
consipnee was put down as " Hall " or Edge ana
similar Names In several instances the witness
could not tell who meant Some OF the weekly
reports wero supposed TO DO complied from the daily
reports. and should show the amount OF whariaHe
collected for the week report dated uctooer 20,
1856 stated that Smith had collected ~ from inc
schooner j. l.. PettB Smith was asked whit ue
would say II his receipt produced, showing that
he had collected S22 25 in this case. MI.
The wItness-Well, SON etmes'we lose vessels. IIcV
slip away in the night and VIC arc held responsible
f. the wharfage.
Q.-And you make ii up by holding back part oil
the money paid by other vessels and reporting
smaller amount A.-Yes. ,
Q'-Is that customary with tho DockmasterB !
Al think il Is. -,
O. DO the Dock Commissioners know OF this
A.-No; think not A..
Then reports were shown to Smith in which the
tonnage OF the j. H. Pettis put down ut l0O tons
and in others at 900 tons lie did not attempt 10 cN
plain tho discrepancy. report dated September Is,
issG showed that the bark New-l ork OF $50 tons
paid tonnage fees OF T22 90. The cOnsiguees OF the
We sell il said. held his receipt Tor S2I II. he
did not try TO explain this.
In reply to other questions he said thai he never
referred the published weasel ts TO get the correct
tonnage. Several cases were shown where the WI
ness had reported less than the actual tonnage OF
vessel or less than tue number OF days vessel was
in berth.
The investigation will be continued on some day
next week
Its stated that report of Smiths shortcomings was
MADE b, Superintendent Li.comb 10 President STARK
OF the Dock Department, who promised 10 make an
inv estigation Before this Done Smith offered his
resignation and 1t accepted Commissioners stars
and Matthews voted 10 abolish the oiiice oil DOCK
superintendent The Dockmasters give bones IN
$1,000 TO discharge their duties faithfully ana th'F
returnf are sworn to. Charges OF cchy ana per
jury may he made against Saith.